Church plant update

“So what’s going on with the church plant?” you may ask.

I’m glad you asked. Let me fill you in on all the major points.

1. Redemption Church. You’ve probably heard, but this is the name of the church.

2. Branding. We had a great guy help with the website, logo, and branding. We want to have a strong online presence so that when people hear about us, they will have no problems looking us up to find out what we believe and where we are meeting.

3. First meeting. Our first informational meeting (with a short Bible study to introduce God’s plan of redemption) will be March 3. These are the front and back of the information cards.

4. Neighborhood inundation. During the months of February, March, and April, we want to inundate our neighborhood with our name. This is purely to get people to recognize us. Later on, before we have our first service, we’ll have focused days of compassion for our neighbors. But for this month, we want 25% of the people in our neighborhood to have heard our name. Our estimated population (within 2 square miles) is 40,000. So we want to work to get 10,000 people to have heard and recognize our name. We are currently ordering the information cards and getting a promotional video produced. We will also use FB ads, and ask for local business to help us display posters and have extra information cards. I’ve found that many businesses (like the restaurant where we will be meeting) are more than happy to help if they believe we are there to help the community flourish.

By the way, if you would like to help with ideas for this, or if you would like to sponsor an idea, please let me know.

5. Personal contacts. The neighborhood inundation is nice, but it won’t replace personal contacts that we have made and continue to make. Pray that God will extend his grace to these, that the Holy Spirit will move, and that they will choose to explore God’s redemption plan.

6 FAQ about our Chicago church plant.

Q1. Are you guys still planting a church in Chicago?

A1. Yes. We are adjusting, settling in, and learning our culture right now. I send out frequent, short updates through our Facebook page. I send out personal requests and struggles and victories to our prayer partners. You can sign up to be a prayer partner by filling out this short form.

Q2. Where do you guys live?

A2. Originally, we were planning to live in the Albany Park neighborhood. That didn’t work out. There’s about a 2 hour story wrapped up in that last sentence. Through various circumstances, it became apparent that God wanted us exactly where we are. We are just about on the border of two neighborhoods: West Ridge and Lincoln Square. Specifically, you can Google our small neighborhood called Arcadia Terrace. It’s a neighborhood made of working middle class families, like us.

Q3. When will you start meeting?

A3. Our first Bible study will be on March 3. Pray that we will soon know the exact location. I’ve contacted a local business. The manager thought it would be okay, but I’m waiting on a final answer from his boss. We would love to have a huge number of people attend, but we really just want to have someone there besides us! God’s blessed us with dozens of relationships since we moved here, so we are trusting that the Holy Spirit will do what only he can do and speak to hearts. Connected to that, we will be passing out some info cards in our neighborhood on Saturday, February 23 and Saturday, March 2. If you would like to come help us either day, please feel free to contact me directly.

Q4. What’s the name of your church?

A4. Redemption Church. You can find us online at http://www.redeemchicago.com. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter.

Q5. Is this a Free Will Baptist church?

A5. Yes. We currently do not receive any monthly support, but we have received funding by Illinois Free Will Baptist Home Missions and several individual churches. Northwest Community Church, pastored by David Potete, is our mentor church. We are planning on joining our local association this calendar year.

Q6. How can I help?

A6. There are a few ways you can help:

1) Sign up to be a prayer partner. We want to pray for you just as much as we want your prayers.

2) You can come help us pass out info cards.

3) You can bring a group this summer and help us with a project in the neighborhood.

4) If you would like to give, you may do so by sending a tax-deductible gift, earmarked Redemption Church, to:

Northwest Community Church
5318 W. Diversey Ave.
Chicago, IL 60639